Dishwasher Monitoring Device

ABSTRACT

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a manually operated dishwasher monitoring device that reduces the likelihood that dirty tableware will be prematurely removed from a dishwasher before being cleaned, or that dirty tableware will be inadvertently placed into a dishwasher with cleaned tableware before the clean tableware is removed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher monitoring device is comprised of an indicator, indicator washer, indicating plate, washer and attachment device positioned along a spindle, wherein said indicator and/or said indicating plate are repositionable between a first position and a second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/816,475 filed on Apr. 26, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a dishwasher monitoring device that can be easily and removably attached to the front face of a dishwasher and used to indicate to a user whether the contents of the dishwasher are clean or dirty. The invention prevents users from accidentally unloading rinsed dishes that have not yet been properly cleaned by the dishwasher, as well as loading dirty dishes into a dishwasher that has completed the washing cycle and which currently contains clean dishes, drink ware, pots pans and the like.

BACKGROUND

Many individuals who use a dishwasher to wash dirty plates, pots, pans, drinkware, tableware, utensils and the like have inadvertently made the mistake of combining dirty items with clean items or vice versa. Much of the confusion tends to arise around whether the contents of the dishwasher are clean or dirty. More specifically, it can be difficult for individuals to determine whether the contents of a dishwasher have been washed or merely rinsed. As a result, some individuals may remove dirty dishes from a dishwasher and use the same because the user believes that the item has been cleaned. This practice is not only unsanitary, but can result in the spread of germs, food-born illnesses and even death. Other individuals may add dirty dishes, drink ware, etc. to a dishwasher with clean contents (not realizing that the contents had already been properly washed) and run the dishwasher for a second time, which is inefficient and waste electricity, water and detergent.

Consequently, there exists in the art a long-felt need for a dishwasher monitor device that indicates to a user whether the contents of the dishwasher are clean or dirty. There also exists in the art a long felt need for a dishwasher monitor device that can be easily and removably attached to the front panel of a dishwasher, and which does not require an external power source (such as electricity, natural gas, etc.) to operate. Finally, there is a long-felt need for a dishwasher monitoring device that accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is a manually operated dishwasher monitoring device that indicates to a user whether the contents of the dishwasher are clean or dirty, and that can be easily and removably attached to a front panel of a dishwasher. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the manually operated dishwasher monitoring device comprises an indicating plate with wording or other indicators positioned thereon, a repositionable arrow or other indicator device and one or more washers all positioned along a spindle, which is in turn attached to an attachment device, such as a suction cup, magnet or strip of Velcro®, for removably attaching the device to a front panel of a dishwasher.

The unique design of the dishwasher monitoring device of the present invention is useful for indicating to a user whether the contents of the dishwasher are clean or dirty. The dishwasher monitoring device can be manually operated and does not require an external power source such as electricity, natural gas, etc. to function. Additionally, the dishwasher monitoring device can be easily and removably attached to a front panel of a dishwasher or other suitable location for convenient access and easy viewing. Finally, the dishwasher monitoring device of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the various components of a preferred embodiment of the dishwasher monitoring device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dishwasher monitoring device in an assembled condition.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dishwasher monitoring device attached to a prior art dishwasher and indicating that the contents of the dishwasher are clean.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dishwasher monitoring device attached to a prior art dishwasher and indicating that the contents of the dishwasher are dirty.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective exploded view of the various components of a preferred embodiment of the dishwasher monitoring device 100 of the present invention. Dishwasher monitoring device 100 is preferably comprised of an indicating plate 110, an indicator 130, a washer 160, an attachment device 180 and a spindle 190, all of which are described in greater detail below.

As best shown in the FIGS., indicating plate 110 is preferably generally circular in shape and comprised of a front 112, a back 114 and a continuous opening 116, extending between said front 112 and said back 114, for receipt of spindle 190 as described more fully below. In a preferred embodiment, indicating plate 110 is between four and five inches in diameter and between 0.05 and 0.75 of an inch thick, as measured between said front 112 and said back 114. Notwithstanding, it is contemplated that other shapes and sizes could also be used for indicating plate 110 without unduly interfering with the overall concept of the present invention.

Indicating plate 110 is preferably comprised of a durable material such as plastic. Notwithstanding, it is also contemplated that indicating plate 110 could be comprised of other suitable materials, such as metal, Styrofoam, etc., without affecting the overall scope of the invention.

Front surface 112 is further comprised or segmented into a first portion 1122 and a second portion 1124, as best shown in FIG. 2 through 4. First portion 1122 may contain the words “CLEAN” or “DIRTY”, or words of similar import, to inform a user (not shown) whether the contents of the dishwasher are, in fact, clean or dirty. Second portion 1124 may contain a word or words opposite of what is stated in first portion 1122. For example, if first portion 1122 contains the word “CLEAN”, then second portion 1124 may contain the word “DIRTY” or vice versa.

As previously stated, indicating plate 110 further comprises a continuous opening 116 therein, extending from the front 112 to the back 114, for receipt of spindle 190. As shown in the Figures, opening 116 is typically located in the center of indicating plate 110, and indicating plate 110 may be fixed upon spindle 190, or rotatable about said spindle 190 to illustrate to the user the condition of the contents of a dishwasher as explained more fully below.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, indicator 130 is preferably of unitary construction and comprised of a body portion 132 and an arrowhead portion 136, each with a continuous opening 134 therein for receipt of spindle 190. As shown in the Figures, opening 134 is typically located in the center of indicator 130, and indicator 130 may be fixed upon spindle 190, or rotatable about said spindle 190 to illustrate to the user the condition of the contents of a dishwasher as explained more fully below. Indicator 130 is typically positioned along spindle 190 and adjacent to front 112 of indicating plate 110.

Indicator 130 is preferably comprised of a durable material such as plastic. Notwithstanding, it is also contemplated that indicator 130 could be comprised of other suitable materials, such as metal, wood, etc., without affecting the overall scope of the invention.

Indicator 130 may further comprise an indicator washer 138 with a continuous opening 1382 therein for receipt of spindle 190. Indicator washer 138 is typically positioned along spindle 190 and between front 112 of indicating plate 110 and the arrowhead portion 136 of indicator 130, and permits the relatively easy repositioning of indicator 130. Indicator washer 138 is preferably comprised of a durable material such as plastic. Notwithstanding, it is also contemplated that indicator washer 138 could be comprised of other suitable materials, such as metal, wood, etc., without affecting the overall scope of the invention.

As best shown in the FIGS., washer 160 is preferably generally circular in shape and comprised of a front 162, a back 164 and a continuous opening 166, extending between said front 162 and said back 164, for receipt of spindle 190 as described more fully below. In a preferred embodiment, washer 160 is between 0.25 and 1 inch in diameter and between 0.05 and 0.75 of an inch thick, as measured between said front 162 and said back 164. Notwithstanding, it is contemplated that other shapes and sizes could also be used for washer 160 without unduly interfering with the overall concept of the present invention.

Washer 160 is preferably comprised of a durable material such as plastic. Notwithstanding, it is also contemplated that washer 160 could be comprised of other suitable materials, such as metal, wood, etc., without affecting the overall scope of the invention. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, washer 160 is preferably positioned along spindle 190 and between attachment device 180 and back 114 of indicating plate 110, and permits the relatively easy repositioning of indicating plate 110.

Attachment device 180 may be any attachment device known in the art for attaching one item or article to another item or article. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, attachment device 180 is a prior art suction cup device comprised of a base 182 and a stem portion 184 extending outwardly from said base 182. Stem portion 184 further comprises an opening 186 therein for receipt of one end of spindle 190 as explained more fully below. Notwithstanding, it is also contemplated that attachment device 180 could be any other type of attachment device known in the art for attaching one item or article to another item or article including, without limitation, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, etc.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, spindle 190 is preferably of unitary construction and comprised of a head portion 192 and an elongated body portion 194 extending outwardly from said head portion 192. Spindle 190 is preferably comprised of a durable material such as plastic. Notwithstanding, it is also contemplated that spindle 190 could be comprised of other suitable materials, such as metal, wood, etc., without affecting the overall scope of the invention.

As best illustrated in the exploded view of the preferred embodiment of dishwasher monitoring device 100 depicted in FIG. 1, body portion 194 of spindle 190 should be of sufficient length to be inserted into each of the following: opening 134 of indicator 130, opening 1382 of indicator washer 138, opening 116 of indicating plate 110, opening 166 of washer 160, and opening 186 of attachment device 180. Importantly, one or more of indicator 130, indicator washer 138, indicating plate 110, washer 160 and attachment device 180 may be permanently affixed to, and non-rotatable about, body portion 194 of spindle 190. Likewise, one or more of indicator 130, indicator washer 138, indicating plate 110, washer 160 and attachment device 180 may be rotatable about body portion 194 of spindle 190.

Having now described the overall structure of dishwasher monitoring device 100, the use and usefulness of the same will now be summarized. A user (not shown) desiring to always know whether the contents of a dishwasher 200 are clean or dirty could simply attach dishwasher monitoring device 100 to a front panel 202 of the dishwasher as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or any other suitable location. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, in which attachment device 180 is a suction cup, the user (not shown) would simply press the attachment device 180 firmly against the front panel 202 to removably affix the device 100 to dishwasher 200. Further, when the contents of dishwasher 200 are clean, the user (not shown) can simply rotate indicator 130 about spindle 190 until an arrow 137 on arrowhead portion 136 points in the direction of the CLEAN marking on the front portion 112 of indicating plate 110, as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Conversely, when the contents of dishwasher 200 are dirty, the user (not shown) can simply rotate indicator 130 about spindle 190 until arrow 137 points in the direction of the DIRTY marking on the front portion 112 of indicating plate 110, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. As previously mentioned, it is also contemplated that indicator 130 may be fixed along spindle 190, in which case indicating plate 110 may be manually rotated about spindle 190 by user (not shown) until such time that arrow 137 is pointing in the direction of the proper marking (i.e., CLEAN or DIRTY) on the front 112 of indicating plate.

Consequently, the various embodiments of dishwasher monitoring device 100 of the present invention described herein are useful for reducing the likelihood that dirty tableware will be prematurely removed from a dishwasher before being cleaned, or that dirty tableware will be inadvertently placed into a dishwasher with cleaned tableware before the clean tableware is removed. Further, the dishwasher monitoring device 100 is manually operated, portable, and is not constrained by power cords and the like. Finally, the monitoring device 100 is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to use.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dishwasher monitoring device comprising: an indicating plate; an indicator; and an attachment device.
 2. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 1 wherein said dishwasher monitoring device further comprises a spindle.
 3. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 2 wherein each of said indicating plate, indicator and attachment device is positioned along said spindle.
 4. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 3 wherein said indicating plate is positioned along said spindle between said indicator and said attachment device.
 5. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 1 wherein said indicating plate further comprises a front surface that is comprised of a first portion and a second portion.
 6. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 5 wherein said indicator is repositionable between said first portion and said second portion.
 7. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 6 wherein positioning the indicator towards the first portion informs a user that a dishwasher's contents are clean and positioning the indicator towards the second portion informs a user that the dishwasher's contents are dirty.
 8. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 1 wherein said attachment device is a suction cup or a magnet.
 9. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 1 further comprising at least one washer.
 10. The dishwasher monitoring device of claim 1 wherein each of said indicating plate, indicator and attachment device is positioned along a spindle, and further wherein said indicating plate is repositionable between a first position and a second position relative to said indicator.
 11. A manually operated dishwasher monitoring device comprising an indicating plate positioned along a spindle and between an indicator and an attachment device.
 12. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 11 wherein said indicator is rotatable about said spindle and repositionable between a first position and a second position.
 13. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 11 wherein said indicator is rotatable about said spindle and repositionable between a first position and a second position.
 14. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 11 further comprising a washer positioned along a spindle and between said indicating plate and said attachment device.
 15. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 11 wherein said indicating plate is rotatable about said spindle and repositionable between a first position and a second position.
 16. A manually operated dishwasher monitoring device comprising: an indicator; an indicator washer; an indicating plate; a washer; and an attachment device, wherein each of said indicator, said indicator washer, said indicating plate, said washer, and said attachment device is positioned along a spindle.
 17. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 16 wherein said indicating plate is rotatable about said spindle and repositionable between a first position and a second position.
 18. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 16 wherein said indicating plate is positioned along said spindle between said indicator and said attachment plate.
 19. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 16 wherein said indicator is rotatable about said spindle and repositionable between a first position and a second position.
 20. The manually operated dishwasher monitoring device of claim 16 wherein said attachment device is a suction cup or a magnet. 